On Tonight: Speaking of 'Chopping Block,' Two to Go on 'Idol'

Couples with the ambition of opening a restaurant line up to take part in the new reality competition "The Chopping Block" (NBC, 8 p.m.). Instead of sending each of the couples to a run a different restaurant, as happens on the show's obvious model, "Last Restaurant Standing" (a British series which still runs new episodes on BBC America), they divide the duos into two competing kitchens in restaurants located across the street from each other in New York City. British chef Marco Pierre White, whose credentials include browbeating Gordon Ramsay early in his career, presides to mentor and chide them. And a restaurant critic (whose career now is presumably over because he has so publicaly shown his face) secretly judges their results. At least it's not two hours long.Nor is "American Idol" (Fox, 9 p.m.) where Simon Cowell announced Tuesday they will be eliminating two singers tonight, leaving a Top 11. Before that announcement, though, both Kelly Clarkson and Kanye West will perform (but not Michael Jackson, whose songbook was plundered for Tuesday's show).An "Idol" results show at 9 means an earlier time slot for "Lie to Me" (Fox, 8 p.m.), whether or not that hour is suitable for the crime drama. Tonight's episode is about the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl.Makeovers come early in the season on "America's Next Top Model" (The CW, 8 p.m.) - already in the second week.

The 13th season of "South Park" (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) begins with a skewering of the Jonas Brothers.It's a rerun on "Lost" (NBC, 9 p.m.), but a good one: A replay of last week's Sawyer-centric episode.Simon and Garfunkel are getting something of a TV revival. First they were featured on "Flight of the Conchords." Now, their song "Fakin' It" is part of the soundtrack to tonight's "Life on Mars" (ABC, 10 p.m.). Shocking Blue's "Venus" is also part of the episode that centers around a swingers party where they're looking for a murderer. Perhaps they used the sets from "Swingtown."Rhode Island's "Ghost Hunters" (Sci Fi, 9 p.m.) are back with their fifth season, this one starting off in Pennsylvania, where they search for ghosts in one of he country's oldest homes before looking for spirits in the home of Betsy Ross. Also spooky: The season finale of "American Greed" (CNBC, 9 p.m.), reporting on a dentist who mined bodies in funeral homes for biotech companies.

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Roger Catlin is TV critic for the Hartford Courant and writes a daily column about what's on television called TV Eye. He is also on the board of the Television Critics Association. Before all of this, he was rock critic ... read more